ABOUT ALTA
Our Story
Founded in 2007 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, ALTA Foods began as a small family-owned tortilla producer and has grown into a leading supplier for retail, foodservice, private label, and the U.S. military.
2007 - TODAY
A Family Tradition
1987: Barnes Foods
Don Barnes and his father, Don Sr., established Barnes Foods with the goal of entering the retail and food service market in Goldsboro, NC. Their initial offering, Mac’s Dumplings, had achieved some moderate success, appearing in the frozen food sections of grocery stores and making its way into restaurant kitchens. The company experienced gradual growth during its first four years.
1992: Introducing
Pepito Tortillas
The Barnes family acquired a compact corn tortilla production line, which had been rescued from a fire incident in Houston, Texas. They embarked on producing Pepito Tortillas. Over the ensuing nine years, they transformed the brand into one of the most prominent names in the world of tortillas on the eastern seaboard. Notably, their clientele included major retailers like Walmart, Ingles, Food Lion, Winn Dixie, Ahold, Sysco, and numerous others.
2007: ALTA Foods
is Born
After successfully selling their business, Don and his wife, Nicole, recognized the untapped potential for growth within the tortilla industry. A critical factor in the future success of their new venture was securing the commitment of Allen Lydick, who had previously served as their sales director in the 1990s and had played a pivotal role in their earlier achievements. Don presented his proposal to Allen during a breakfast meeting at Denny's one morning. Fortunately, Allen enthusiastically agreed to join them. In less than half a year, ALTA Foods successfully shipped its inaugural product.
2010: United States
Military Approves ALTA
For MRE Production
ALTA Foods assumes a significant role as a supplier to the United States Military and the armed forces of numerous U.S. partner nations. ALTA specializes in the production of flour tortillas incorporated into MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) distributed worldwide.
1991: A New Business Was Born
Don Sr. held a position as a bank executive during his regular work hours, while his son dedicated himself full-time to expanding the dumpling venture. Their principal customer was Quinn Wholesale, and it turned out to be a serendipitous connection, as IJ Quinn also coincidentally served on Don Sr.'s bank board of directors. In a conversation that unfolded in 1991, Mr. Quinn suggested to Don Sr. that they venture into tortilla production. He foresaw their rising popularity in the United States, particularly in the Southeast. Don Sr. shared this insight with his son, and as the saying goes, a new business was born.
1999: The Tortilla
Division is Acquired
Gruma Corporation, owner of Mission Foods, acquires the tortilla division of the company. Simultaneously, the dumpling business is acquired by Harvest Times Foods. Don Barnes took part in Mission Foods' operations, contributing to the establishment of an impressive 80,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Goldsboro. This expansion resulted in a threefold increase in the workforce at the plant, a facility that remains operational to this day. After this chapter, Don Sr. entered retirement, while Don Jr. embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture.
2007 - 2018:
Formative Years
These years form the bedrock upon which ALTA Foods is built. In under twelve months from the initial product shipments, the onset of the Great Recession presents a formidable challenge. Securing financial credit becomes an arduous task, necessitating self-sustained growth. Through the introduction of the Celia's brand and its resounding success among retailers, alongside the development of a comprehensive range of food service offerings tailored for restaurants, ALTA Foods not only survives but thrived during the challenging period of the worst economic downturn in United States history.
2018: Settling
the Stage for
Future Expansion
2022 - Today:
Fiesta Fit & Celia's
Today, ALTA has emerged as an industry frontrunner, crafting the market's lowest-carb tortilla available under both the Fiesta Fit and Celia’s brands. ALTA also offers an extensive array of flour and corn tortillas, alongside ready-to-fry chips. Products are now available in over 2000 supermarkets and have found a place in thousands of restaurants. ALTA stands as one of the nation's foremost producers of Private Label tortillas.
ALTA makes a strategic move from its initial factory to its current site, which was formerly a distribution center operated by Keebler and Mondelez Company. This new location provides ALTA with a larger building and more extensive land resources, setting the stage for potential future expansion.